The Big 12 showdown between CFP No. 5 Oklahoma and No. 6 TCU is so important that Gary Patterson and Baker Mayfield are saying nice things about each other.

No need for rehashing old grievances, especially this week.

Why the most important game for the Big 12 this week isn't TCU-Oklahoma

Saturday's winner in Norman immediately gains the inside the track for the Big 12's regular-season title heading into the resurrected championship game Dec. 2. And a victory will provide a résumé boost as the College Football Playoff selection committee does its side-by-side comparisons in Grapevine.

The loser will see its playoff hopes evaporate barring extreme playoff chaos.

Against that backdrop, OU quarterback Mayfield and TCU coach Patterson are no longer publicly feuding like they did in 2015 about what happened when Mayfield was a senior at Lake Travis High School. At Orange Bowl media day, Mayfield suggested Patterson "hung him out to dry" by not offering a scholarship, which led to him walking on at Texas Tech. Patterson responded from the Alamo Bowl by calling Mayfield's father "an arrogant guy" and suggesting there was more to the story.

Mayfield's parents fired back via ESPN in 2016, and Patterson referenced the article after a narrow loss to OU in 2016, extending the Hatfield-McCoy atmosphere.

Now? They like each other. Or at least are expressing mutual respect.

Patterson was effusive about Mayfield, the current Heisman front-runner who is 71.7 percent accurate this season while averaging a staggering 16.5 yards per completion.

"Baker has really done a great job. I've watched him mature and the way he's handled things," Patterson said. "You got to love the guy as a competitor. He's one of those guys, if you're playing against him, you probably don't like him. But if you love competitors, you got to admire the things he's been able to do."

"They're obviously well-coached by coach Patterson. He knows what he's doing on defense," Mayfield. "There's no doubt he's one of the best defensive minds in the game. There's a reason he's had so much success."

Despite all the mutual admiration, the game very well could be won by whoever does their job better. In 2015, TCU knocked Mayfield out of the game and the Sooners needed a clutch pass breakup by Steven Parker on a 2-point conversion to preserve the win.

Last season evolved into a shootout, won by Oklahoma 52-46 as Mayfield accounted for four touchdowns.

Each team is playing with confidence. TCU limited Texas to 26 yards rushing in a 24-7 victory last week and has allowed just two touchdowns in its last 16 quarters.

"We like coming into hostile environments like [OU] and just competing with them and giving them our all and getting after it," defensive end Mat Boesen said.

Oklahoma has won 21 of its last 22 games against Big 12 opponents and is seeking its third straight conference title.

"We're built for November and this run right here," Mayfield said. "I think we're ready for it. We've been talking about it all year, that we're going to have to play well late in the year. Right now, we're doing just that."